Dirk Nowitzki: From Germany to NBA Finals MVP

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The Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, a German, is the first European to be named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, for his performance this spring against the Miami Heat. Pictured here in 1997, Mr. Nowitzki stands seven feet tall. Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom/File

Dirk Nowitzki, pictured in 2000, started playing for the Dallas Mavericks as a forward in 1998 after playing on the DJK Würzburg basketball club in Germany. Brian Spurlock/SportsChrome/Newscom/File

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (r.) goes up for a shot while the Sixers' Dikembe Motumbo, Matt Geiger, and Matt Harpring look on at the First Union Center in Philadelphia on October 9, 2001. Delane B. Rouse/Ai Wire Photo Service/Newscom/File

Dirk Nowitzki celebrates a layup and a foul against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 28, 2002. Brad Loper/KRT/Newscom/File

Dirk Nowitzki clowns around with his former coach and current personal trainer, Holger Geschwindner. Mr. Geschwindner discovered Mr. Nowitzki and groomed him for professional basketball. Imago/Icon SMI/Newscom/File

In his spare time, Dirk Nowitzki enjoys playing the saxophone. His coach, Holger Geschwindner, encouraged him to study music and read literature to make him a more well-rounded person. Imago/Icon SMI/Newscom/File

Dirk Nowitzki (GER) shoots during Greece's convincing 78-62 victory over Germany to win the EuroBasket Championship 2005 at Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia, on Sept. 25, 2005. Greece won the gold medal for the first time since 1987. Imago/Imago/Icon SMI/Newscom/File

Dirk Nowitzki takes a shoeless shot on a bet from coach Don Nelson (l.) at the Finley and Friends Make-A-Wish charity tournament at the Trophy Club near Dallas on June 30, 2003. Nathan Hunsinger/KRT/Newscom/File

Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki yells at an official during Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on June 20, 2006. Rhona Wise/Icon SMI/Newscom/File

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates defeating the Miami Heat to win the NBA Finals in Miami on June 12. Mr. Nowitzki finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Mavericks won the best-of-seven championship series four-games-to-two to claim their first NBA championship in franchise history. Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom/File